Old Mortality Quotes

“It has often been remarked of the Scottish character, that the stubbornness with which it is moulded shows most to advantage in adversity, when it seems akin to the native sycamore of their hills, which scorns to be biassed in its mode of growth even by the influence of the prevailing wind, but, shooting its branches with equal boldness in every direction, shows no weather-side to the storm, and may be broken, but can never be bended.”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality

“I will own frankly, Mr Balfour," replied Morton, "much of this sort of language, which, I observe, is so powerful with others, is entirely lost on me.”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality, Complete

“I”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality, Complete

“will own frankly, Mr Balfour," replied Morton, "much of this sort of language, which, I observe, is so powerful with others, is entirely lost on me. It is proper you should be aware of this before we commune further together.”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality, Complete

“am weary of seeing nothing but violence and fury around me—now assuming the mask of lawful authority, now taking that of religious zeal.”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality, Complete

“ray of light streamed on his uncurtained couch, and showed to Morton the working of his harsh features, which seemed agitated by some strong internal cause of disturbance. He had not undressed. Both his arms were above the bed-cover, the right hand strongly clenched, and occasionally making that abortive attempt to strike which usually attends dreams of violence; the left was extended, and agitated, from time to time, by a movement as if repulsing some one.”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality, Complete

“and whose intolerance and narrow-minded bigotry are at least as conspicuous as their devotional zeal,”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality, Complete

“...the fortalice, thus commanding both bridge and pass, had been, in times of war, a post of considerable importance, the possession of which was necessary to secure the communication of the upper and wilder districts of the country with those beneath, where the valley expands, and is more capable of communication.”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality

“Which of them would sit six hours on a wet hillside to hear a godly sermon?”
― Walter Scott, Old Mortality